Strip serving machine



July 27, 1943. r. H.1KRUEGER STRIP SERVING MACHINE Fi led Aug. 19,

1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR msaaaes keafafz ATTO R N EY July 27,1943.

T. H. KRUEGER STRIP SERVING MACHINE Filed Aug. 19, 1941 lllln gSheets-Sheet 2 h wlllulll'lz ATTORNEYS (g 15 TQR 000A; 6 g k PatentedJuly-27, 1943 STRIP SEBVING'MACHINI'I Theodore H. Krueger, Stratford,Conn assignor to Better Packages Incorporated, a corporation of New'YorkApplication August 19, 1941, Serial No. 401,411

8 Claims. (Cl. it'll-2.8)

This invention relatesto strip feeding means, and particularly tointermittent or reciprocating feeding devices such as are used forfeeding strips of gummed packaging tape from a roll of tape contained ina dispensing machine. In such machines provision is usually made forserving the tape in, desired lengths, and usually for moistening thetape as delivered. The present invention possesses particular utility insuch a machine, but it is not limited to use therein.

It is an object of the present invention I to provide a tape grippingmechanism which will grip the tape firmly and feed it forward, and whichwill release thetape so that the feeding device, such as a handle, maybe returned to initial position without causing any reverse movement ofthe tape.- The feeding mechanism will again come into, gripping relationwith the tape upon the next forward movement of the handle, or otheractuating means.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a tape gripping andfeeding device which will grip the tape in proportion to the resistanceto the feed, so that if the resistance increases the tape gripping forceincreases and positive feed- .ing of the tape will be assured under allnormal conditions.

These objects are obtained lization of the reaction of the feedactuating devices to which the feeding force is applied to bring aboutor increase the gripping of the tape by the tape feeding elements. Uponmovement of the mechanism in reverse direction, the rein general byutiaction of the forces of the power applying elements release the tapeengaging devices from gripping engagement with the tape, so that thetape remains stationary while the parts are reciprocated-into positionfor a second feeding operation. V

In the preferred embodiments of the invention the tape is actuallygripped and fed by a pair of feed rollers at least one of which is adriving roller and at leastone of the rollers is mounted to rotate abouta movable axis. Thev driving force is so applied to the feed rollersthat the reaction of such force tends to move the feed rollers intoclose gripping contact with the tape when the parts are moved in onedirection, and to separate the rollers and release such gripping contactwhen the parts are moved in the opposite direction.

Stated in other words, the machine of this I I invention translates theenergy of the feed handle stroke into two-distinct components of motionas opposed to the customary single component of motion in prior artmachines. These component motions are the rotatory motion of the feedroll shaft and the linear or arcuate motion of the same shaft.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specificationare'shown certain preferred embodiments of the invention illustrative ofthe principle thereof. I do not intend to limit myself to the details ofsuch embodiments any further than indicated by the appended claims; onthe contrary I intend to include within the scope of such claims theelements defined together with their mechanical equivalents.

' In the drawings:

I machine taken at the position indicated by line 2-2 in Figure l;

-. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the feeding mechanism, parts beingbroken away;

Figure 4 is a view in longitudinal vertical section of 'a part of themachine showing an alternative construction; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 showing another alternativeconstruction.

Referring to the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 to 4, I0 is acasing having side walls or frames .H and I2 between which is a spacefor a roll of tape M. In the construction shown the tape passes over aguide roller l6, across a guide plate I'I, under a guide roller I'll,through a pair of guide channels l9, over a guide plate Ill and over amoistening brush 2| with which the tape is held in contact by movablepressure plate 22. A cut-oil knife 24 is indicated diagrammatically inFig. l. A weighted knurled member 26, pivoted at 21, is shown forpressing the tape upon the plate II. This member 26 acts as a ratchetwhich permits the tape to move in the direction of the arrow, butprevents it from moving in the opposite direction. The

particular arrangement and details of the means for guidingthe tape maybe varied to meet the conditions of use- I In the construction shown thefeed means comprise a pair of knurled rolls Y30 and ii adapted to gripthe tape strip "between them. The roll 30 is shown as mounted on theshaft 35 carried in fixed bearings by plates II and i2 and having on itsend a driving pinion 31 which is driven by a driving'gear 39 mounted ona short shaft ill to which is ailixed an operating crank 4i carrying anoperating handle 42. The roll 3| is mounted on a shaft 65 which carriesa pinion 41 meshing with a pinion 48 on the opposite end of the shaft 45irom the pinion 31. The shaft 451s journaled in a swinging yoke ortoggle support 50' which is mounted to swing through a limited arc on ashaft 52 mounted in the plates H and [2. The relation of the shafts 35,55, and 52 is suchthat if the toggle support swings in the'direction ofthe feed of tape, namely, towards the left hand end of the machine asseen in Figure l, the rolls II and ll are moved into gripping.engagement with the tape. When the toggle support swings in theopscribed a. light frictional resistance to the rotation of the shaft oraxle 45, roll 3| and pinion l1 s is provided. As illustrated this isproduced by a spiral spring 56 mounted on the shaft 45 which engages abrake shoe 5! and holds it against the end of the hub of the roll 3 l.

initial position without causing reverse movement of the feed rolls.Danger of over feeding of the strip is avoided, such as may occur if aroll having a ratchet drive were utilized, for in such a case the roll,through its own inertia.

would tend to keep on spinning after the feeding stroke had terminatedand the handle was released. Wlth the pmenc construction, however.

such force as to bounce away from the abutment in the direction of thenext feeding stroke. Feed- The operating crank 4| is moved in thedirecing of the tape can be avoided by providing sufflcient clearancebetween the rolls 30 and SI so that such rolls will not be brought intogripping engagement with the strip, except upon a movement greater inextent than that caused by the bounce.

- Figure 4 shows a modified construction in which the feed roll II ismounted on a shaft ll carrying a pinion II which meshes with the teeththe main driving gear 13, is mounted so as to have a limitedmovemen't.In this respect the The operation is as follows: As soon as the supportto the left (Fig. 1). This swinging movement takes place simultaneouslywith the initiation of the rotation of the rolls, and as soon as theswinging of the yoke has continued far enough to cause the rolls toengage firmly upon the upper and lower surfaces of the strip, thefeeding of the strip begins. Thus the energizing of the feed roll shaftresults in two components of motion which are translated to it by astroke of the feed lever, The strip will thus be gripped between thefeed rolls with suillcient tightness to overcome any normal resistanceto its movement, and a positively eflective feed of the strip issecured. As soon as the handle is moved in reverse direction, orreleased and permitted to be thrown back by its spring I, the

movement of the gear 38 is reversed with corresponding reversal ofrotation of the rolls ll and 3|. reversal of rotation is to reverse thereaction between the teeth of the pinions l1 and 48 which at once throwsthe yoke or toggle support 50 towards the right (Fig. 1), therebyseparating the rolls and releasing the strip so that the latter remainsstationary until the handle is again pulled forward initiating the nextfeeding operation. An

intermittent or reciprocating feed of the strip is thus secured withoutthe use of any pawl and ratchet mechanism, or equivalent device, forpermitting the return of the operating handle to construction differsfrom the construction of Figs. 1 to 3 in which the shaft "carrying thepinion '31 which meshes with the driving gear I! is mounted in fixedbearings, and the shaft ll carrying the roll II and the pinion 41, isthe shaft mounted on movable bearings.

' In the Figure 4 construction the shaft or axle ll isshown mounted inslots II in the side frames or plates I. the slight movabillty of theshaft being provided for by means of these slots, instead of mountingthe shaft in a swinging yoke. Cooperating with the roll ll, whichiscapable of bodily, as well as rotary movement, is an idler feed roll itwhich is mounted on a shaft ll rotating in fixed bearings in the PlatesII. when the driving gear ll is moved in the direction ofthearrowinl'lg.4thereactionottheteethof thegearagainsttheteethofthepinionlz moves the pinion, shaft and roll 'II in the direction of theroll I; so as to cause the strip to be gripp d firmly between the rolls.Continued movement of the driving gear rotates the roll II whichHowever, the immediate effect of such causes the ipped strip to be fedin the desired manner. If there is any resistance to the movement of thestrip such as might be caused by starting the rotation of a large rollof tape, this resistance merely has the effect of; increasing thereaction of the teeth of the gear against the teeth of the pinion I: sothat the roll 10 will be the rolls II and 85 upon the strip.

assumes with the main drivin gear 96; Cooperating with the movable feedroll ,9! is feed roll 91 mounted on a shaft it rotating in fixedbearings. As in the construction shown in Fig. 4', the shafts 90 and soneed not be geared together. The movement of the driving gear 96 in thedirection of the arrow produces a reaction upon the pinion 95, shaft 90and roll 9| causing the latter to grip the strip at the same time thatit is rotated. As in the case of the construction shown in Figure 1,resistance to the feed of the tape will result in the rolls gripping thetape moretightly. The reverse movement of the driving gear moves thepinion 95, shaft on and arm 92 in a direction to separate the feedrolls, the movement of the arms being limited by a stop 99.

It will be understood that the pivoted arm mounting and the slottedguide mounting for the movable shaft of one of the feed rolls arealternative constructionsand either may be substituted in either of themodifications shown.

yoke or Furthermore, the engagement of the driving gear may be with apinion mounted on either the movable shaft or on the fixed shaft. In thelatter event it is necessary to have the two shafts geared together,whereas in the former case it is suflicient if only the movable shaft ispositively rotated by the driving gear. In any case it is preferable toprovide a friction retarder such as is shown. in the Figures 1 to 3 orthat the engagement of the gear which drives the pinion on the movableshaft should be at a point in the circumference of such pinion that areaction will be produced on such pinion tending to move it and themovable shaft in a direction to force the movable roll into grippingengagement with the strip when the driving gearing is moved in adirection to rotate the rolls in strip feeding direction.

While I have illustrated and described indetail certain forms of myinvention, I do not wish' to be understood as limiting myself to the useof such forms, as I realize that changes within the scope of theinvention are possible, and I further intend each element orinstrumentality-recited in any of the following claims to be understoodto refer to all equivalent elements or instrumentalities foraccomplishing substantially the same result in substantially the same orequivalent manner, it being my purpose to cover my invention broadly inwhatever form its principle may be utilized.

I claim:

I 1. In strip feeding mechanism, a pair of feed rolls adapted to gripthe strip to be fed, one of on a displaceable axle, a

axle gear, axleI movable suport feed roll to cause ror gear, and afriction device assooaid.dis'placeable axle for retarding.ratlltiontheroof.

P adapted togrip th e' ltfli to led between one. displaceable axle,

them, one of said rolls being mounted on an axle journaled in a movablesupport freely displaceable to a limited extent, in a direction topermit separation of the rolls, thereby releasing the grippingengagement between the rolls and the strip, a gear on said axle, gearingfor rotating said axle gear, axle and roll carried thereby, said gearingincluding a main driving gear, manual means'for rotating said drivinggear in one direction and spring means for rotating said driving gear inthe reverse direction.

4. Instrip serving mechanism, a pair of feed 'rolls adapted to grip thestrip to be fed between them, one of said rolls being mounted on an axleJournaled in a movable support freely displaceable to a limited extentin a direction to permit separation of the rolls, thereby releasing thegripping engagement between the rolls and the strip, a gear on saidaxle, a relatively large diameter driving gear meshing with said axlegear, manual means for rotating said large diameter gear in a directionto drive said axle gear, axle and roll in a direction to serve thestrip, and a spring for re- A turning said handle and large diametergear to initial position, the reaction of said large diametergear onsaid axle gear serving to displace said axle gear, axle, movable supportand feed roll to a position to cause said feed rolls to grip the stripand advance the same, the reverse movement of said large diameter gearserving to displace s'aid axle and feed roll thereon sufilcient- 1y torelease the gripping engagement between thefeed rolls and strip so thatthe strip is not moved in reverse direction. 5.'In mechanism for feedinggummed paper strip, a pair of feed rolls adapted to grip the strip to befed, one of said rolls being mounted on an axle Journaled in adisplaceable toggle support, and reversible driving gearing for rotatingsaid axle and feed roll thereon, the reaction of said driving gearingdisplacing said axle and toggle support in one direction or the otherdepending upon the direction of movement of said drivinggear.

6. In strip feeding mechanism a pair of feed rolls adapted to gripthestrip to be fed, one of said rolls being mounted on an axledisplaceable in parallel relation to the axis of rotation of the otherroll, a gear on said axle and reciprocatable power applying means fordriving said rolland being itself pivoted on anaxis parallel to the axisof the other feed roll, a gear on the displaceable axle, reversibledriving gearing saidmov'ablesupport .to move and bring rolls intogripping roll, a gear on for rotating said gear and means to preventsaid gear on said axle and said reversible driving gearing from losingmeshing contact.

8. In strip feeding mechanism, a pair of feed rolls adapted to grip thestrip to be fed, one of said rolls'being mounted on an axle displaceablerotation thereof. servingmechanism,apairof ieed in position parallel tothe axis of the other feed said axle, a reciprocal driving gearing forrotating said gear means to limit the displacement of said axle tomaintain the meshing of said gear and a friction device associated withsaid displaceable axle for retarding the free THEODORE H. KBUEG t.

